Depression decisions — 2026

The Board has denied an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected MDD produced total occupational and social impairment, nor did his other disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether military sexual trauma (MST) occurred during service, which is necessary to determine if the acquired psychiatric disorder, including PDD and PTSD, is related to service. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and headaches because the appeals were not timely filed.

The Veteran's disability ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder, and panic disorder to include insomnia, and GERD were reduced. The motion to revise these decisions based on CUE is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for DEA benefits, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being more closely approximated by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected depressive disorder with anxiety (claimed as bipolar disorder) is dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement did not relate to any adjudicative determination by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, insomnia, diabetes mellitus type II, left eye glaucoma, and right eye glaucoma due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to burn pits during his Southwest theater of operations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, headaches, insomnia, a gynecological disability, and anemia. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service stressors or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's request for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request was denied because the appeal was not timely filed. The Veteran did not identify which specific rating decision or issues he wanted to appeal in his initial request, and no good cause was presented.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective December 22, 2023, as he met the schedular requirements for TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's mental health disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling since March 18, 2024. He is also receiving SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities. The matter of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and an addendum opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 6, 2023. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder are each rated at the highest available level of disability due to their severity. The decision is mixed as some conditions received higher ratings than others.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for anxiety and depression due to a lack of an addendum addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left knee limitation of flexion is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a mental health condition, including anxiety and depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.